How old do you need to be to vault?
NEV accepts vaulters as young as 6 in our group classes. Five-year-olds may vault with special permission, but staying focused for a 75-minute class is not always easy for young children, and focus is critical for safety. Some clinics and camps may be limited to specific ages, levels or groups. There's no upper limit either; NEV welcomes adults interested in trying vaulting and occasionally holds workshops or sessions just for adults.
What are the benefits of vaulting?
Vaulting helps everyone increase overall fitness, strength, balance, coordination, and, of course, courage and confidence. Riders can also use vaulting to improve their seat and balance—and also learn how to fall safely and properly from the horse. Great dressage riders, eventers and show jumpers often learn vaulting to improve their sense of balance and connection to the horse. Vaulting is also a wonderful addition to Pony Club and 4-H programs and makes a great addition to the offerings of riding academies. If you would to know what's involved in starting a vaulting program, please email us.
Do you need to be athletic?
Most people can vault. Vaulting is not, however, recommended for anyone who has any ankle or knee problems, cannot grip the surcingle handles or has balance difficulties. Otherwise, anyone with the desire to vault may learn—and benefit from—vaulting.
Is vaulting expensive?
Vaulting is less expensive than most other equestrian sports and (unlike hockey, skiing, or golf, for example) requires very little in the way of personal equipment as we share horses and tack. To learn more about the costs of lessons and dues, download a description here (Download NEVfees.pdf). From time to time, NEV also offers some scholarships and participates in the City to Saddle vaulting program.
Is vaulting safe?
Vaulting has a better safety record than other equestrian sports because the horse is controlled by a longeur. Every vaulting exercise also involves dismounting quickly, so vaulters quickly learn how to get off the horse safely. In fact, vaulting is a great way for riders to increase their abilities to stay safe on a horse. You can read more about vaulting’s safety record here.
What do you wear to vault?
Leggings, a close fitting t-shirt, soft-soled shoes or slippers, or vaulting shoes. Water shoes, gymnastics shoes, and simple tie-on keds work great for beginners. If you are at all anxious about jumping off a horse on to the (soft) footing, we recommend a soft sneaker like Keds to start. No jewelry please, and long hair needs to be tied back and out of the way. In winter, the barn can be cold, so dress in layers—even if you are just coming to watch. In competitions, vaulters wear team unitards.
How does NEV pay for its horses?
Club dues and generous donations help pay for NEV’s vaulting horses and tack. In addition, we have a few small fund-raisers each year. These events help support horses and club activities and and also provide a small amount of scholarship money for vaulters who might not otherwise be able to attend clinics, camps or competitions. All team members are expected to participate in fund-raising events.
Do boys vault?
Yes! A number of boys have vaulted successfully with NEV over the years. Like riding, gymnastics, and dance, vaulting has traditionally appealed to smaller numbers of boys than girls, but we’d like to change that. NEV encourages boys to try vaulting.
How do you get on the team?
Just ask. Vaulters compete individually as well as teams so everyone who wants to compete can. Team vaulting involves groups of up to nine vaulters working together, often two or three at a time on the horse or barrel. If you are interested in team vaulting, let us know! Teams need to be designed to balance abilities and personalities, but so far we have been able to accommodate almost everyone who is interested and motivated.
What is the American Vaulting Association?
The AVA is the sport’s governing body. NEV encourages its vaulters to join the AVA. Members recieve a copy of the vaulting magazine—Vaulting world. Membership is required for any vaulter wishing to compete in AVA recognized events, and families may also wish to join. For more information about membership and its benefits please visit the AVA website.
The AVA website also has many great links and articles for vaulters. You can get the complete AVA rule book at their site.
To connect with other vaulters, you can also join the Equestrian Vaulting group on Facebook.
What is the USEF?
The US Equestrian Federation oversees many equestrian sports, including vaulting. High-level vaulters who wish to compete must also be members of the USEF in good standing. Read more about the USEF here.
What are vaulters’ responsibilities?
NEV expects its vaulters to strive to do their best in and out of the ring. Club members are expected to be good spokespersons for vaulting and to encourage and support the efforts of all the members of our club. We also value fair play and friendly competition. NEV emphasizes safety in and around the barn—all club members are expected to be respectful, aware and careful around the horses. Before and after each class, vaulters are asked to help with the equipment, tacking up, and horse chores.
What are parent’s responsibilities?
Parents of younger (under 14) vaulters are very important to our sport. At every competition, a parent or guardian of each vaulter is required to volunteer some time to assist with such things as scoring, ribbons, and music. In addition, NEV’s club administration is managed by parents and older vaulters. Please let us know if you would like to help.
What's Apple Valley Farm?
Apple Valley Farm is one of New England's premier classical dressage training facilities. To visit the AVF website, click here. And you can read an article about the facility and AVFs distinguished trainers here.
What if I want to vault but I don’t live near Harvard, MA?
Some of our vaulters have come from western Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire, the south shore and from Boston. We may even have some vaulting families willing to carpool with you. If we’re not in a good location for you, check the AVA website to see if there is a club nearer to where you live. But keep in touch if you are interested in our clinics, camps, and medal tests! We look forward to meeting you soon.
Can we engage NEV to perform at our fair, festival, horse show, or special event?
It is important to have the right kind of footing and facilities for horses and vaulters. If appropriate footing and a safe facility are available, NEV would be delighted to consider such requests. Please email us!
Can NEV help us start our own vaulting program?
We sure can! If your riding program, barn or pony club would like to start a vaulting team or program, we are available to help you get started. For more details, just email us.
Can our company sponsor NEV?
That would be AWESOME! Please email us for details on sponsorships.
More questions?
We’d be happy
answer. Feel free to email us!
Join Our Club 
And Become A Friend
We’d love to have you join our club—if not as a vaulter, at least as a friend! Click here to receive emails about up coming events! We won't share your info outside the club. You'll receive an electronic version of our newsletter and also notices of special events where NEV is performing—and of great new items when we add them to our vaulting store.
You can also join us a a“Friend” for $150, and we will thank you with one of our NEV t-shirts. These great shirts are free to club vaulters and supporters in good standing—wear them to all your equestrian events and enjoy the compliments. Friends are also invited to observe vaulting practice. Just let us know ahead of time. You'll be able to make a gift online shortly, but, for now, you can send your gift to us at:
New England Valkyries
PO Box 22
Littleton, MA 01460
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email: info@newenglandvalkyries.org
